Vinous (96)

A powerful, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking. Intense, expressive aromatics make a strong first impression. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and leather. Deep, unctuous and beautifully layered throughout, the 2014 Cabernet is a fabulous wine in this vintage. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly.

James Suckling (98)

Dark fruit with black cherries, blackcurrants, mineral, and slate undertones. Medium to full body. Racy fine tannins. It’s chewy and driven. This is an undeclared Barca Velha. Superb Douro red. Latour of the Douro. A blend of 42% touriga franca, 34% touriga nacional, 13% tinta roriz, and 11% tinto cao. Drink after 2025.

Vinous (95)

The 2014 d'Alceo is more in line with previous years than Sammarco. Deep, unctuous and super-powerful, the 2014 exudes richness and textural intensity from the very first taste. Readers will have to give the 2014 at least a few years in bottle to help some of the baby fat meld away. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, sage, mint and lavender are some of the many notes that start to emerge as the wine sits in the glass. This is a terrific effort for the vintage.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2014 Sammarco was bottled in August and will be released in January 2019. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese. At this young stage, the wine already offers an impressive array of complex aromas with dark berry, spice and grilled herb neatly overlapping. Those tones are delivered with perfume-like grace and intensity. This vintage is streamlined and compact in terms of mouthfeel, and those youthful tannins remind us that this wine will award the best results to those who have the patience to wait.

Vinous (92)

The 2014 Barbaresco Albesani Santo Stefano offers notable depth and raciness. Dark cherry, plum, sweet spice and floral notes are all given an extra kick of mid-palate sweetness and texture in its striking, exotic Barbaresco. Next to the 2015, the 2014 has a bit more mid-palate ripeness and overall body. This is an intriguing wine from Castello di Neive.

Wine Advocate (96)

Following the subtle, elegant and floral profile of the vintage, the 2014 Valtuille Cepas Centenarias is always sourced from a south-facing vineyard in the Villegas zone of the village of Valtuille de Abajo, where the soils have a sandy texture and provide for fine, elegant wines. They used 100% full clusters for the fermentation in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and then matured the wine in used 228-liter oak barrels. The oak does not have an aromatic role in any of the reds. This combines the floral with some characteristics, earthy and developing notes of cypress, smoked meat and a Rhôneish twist. It has some earthy tannins too, coupled with moderate alcohol and great freshness. This is one of the first vineyards to be harvested, as it ripens early, and has contained alcohol. This is a very regular wine, vintage after vintage. This has to be the finest vintage for this bottle. 3,500 bottles were filled in November 2016.

Wine Advocate (97)

I tasted three consecutive vintages of the reds from Adrianna Vineyard, including the luxury cuvée, starting with the 2014 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae. It is from the coolest year since 2001 (but cooler will come in 2016), and it has 13.5% alcohol and very high acidity—7.5 grams measured in tartaric acid. What that all means is it's moderately ripe and very fresh, with integrated oak after fermenting in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels and an élevage of 24 months in oak. 4,200 bottles were filled in July 2016.

James Suckling (98)

This is another phenomenal Fortuna Terrae that just rolls across the palate with amazingly complex and beautiful fruit. Full body yet tight and refined. Berry, light meat, mushroom and truffle character. Made from organically grown grapes. Love now.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2014 Adrianna Vineyard River Stones is the second vintage of the Malbec from the stonier part of the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary that is next to a dry river bed (the vineyard has 110 hectares that were planted in 1994). It fermented in open-top 500-liter oak barrels with full clusters. It was pressed before the end of fermentation, and it then finished fermenting without skins (like a white) and matured in 1,800-liter oak foudre for 18 months. It's a compact, super serious Malbec with concentration and power, great balance, abundant tannins, strong minerality, firm texture, great austerity and no concessions for sweetness whatsoever. It has all that it takes to develop for a long time in bottle. 5,400 bottles were filled in July 2016.

Wine Advocate (96)

The Catena Zapata range comprises some single-vineyard wines, like the 2014 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard that comes from a plot of ungrafted vines planted in Altamira in 1996 using Malbec cuttings from the ancient Angélica vineyard. Cropped from a year that delivered moderate alcohol and notable acidity, it fermented with full clusters in 2,000- and 5,000-liter oak foudres with indigenous yeasts. It matured in French oak barrels for 24 months. This shows superbly and is open and expressive, very classical and elegant, floral and mineral, with no excess whatsoever. The palate reveals superb balance, really harmonious and elegant. This one might be overlooked because there is a lot of attention given to the Malbecs from Adrianna vineyard, but this is really at the same quality level. 12,000 bottles were filled in July 2016.

Vinous (93+)

Bright, dark ruby-red. Reticent aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, licorice and spicy oak are a bit less expressive than those of the 2015 bottling. Impressively rich, pliant and sweet but with excellent vinosity too. A bit more muscular than the 2015 version, as much saline as sweet, with its substantial tannins saturating the entire palate and building. This will take at least a few more years to deliver on its inherent complexity. (Incidentally, the old Agrelo vineyard--La Piramide--from which much of the Cabernet Sauvignon comes has many Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc vines interspersed in it, but the vineyard is registered as Cabernet Sauvignon so this is what goes on the technical sheet.)

James Suckling (96)

Aromas of stone, chalk and cooked apple follow through to a full body, with so much sea salt, dried apple and pear character. Extremely long finish. Drink now or hold. Made from organically grown grapes.

Unveiling the 'Cauhape Jurancon Quintessence Petit Manseng 2014', a fine specimen of utmost sophistication from esteemed producer Henri Ramonteu. Crafted in the Jurancon region of South-West France, renowned for its distinct terroir and unique Petite Manseng grapes, this exceptional vintage truly embodies its birthplace. The wine undergoes traditional vinification with long fermentation, contributing to its intriguing complexity. A scent of marmalade mixed with roasted orange peel hints at its rich profile.

The 'Cauhape Jurancon Quintessence Petit Manseng 2014' engulfs the palate with a delightful surge of tropical fruit, followed by a long, mineral-rich finish. This vibrant wine elegantly balances a zesty freshness with a comforting sweetness. Every sip demonstrates the masterful work of Ramonteu, cementing its place among the finest wines of Jurancon. A sublime interaction of intensity and refinement, 'Cauhape Jurancon Quintessence Petit Manseng 2014' is an indulgence, warranting the attention of any discerning wine aficionado.

Wine Advocate (100)

Incorporating a touch more Viognier than normal, the 2014 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard is 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier from the first vineyard planted in the stones region of Walla Walla. Sporting a surprisingly deep, inky color, it offers a heavenly bouquet of black olives, tobacco leaf, smoked meats, pepper, blackcurrant and black cherry notes. Deep, rich and ever changing in the glass, with incredible complexity and layers, this full-bodied masterpiece has building tannin, a stacked mid-palate and a great, great finish. It's pure perfection in Syrah, and the finest vintage of this cuvee ever made. As a bonus, it’s also the largest production Syrah they produce. Bravo!

Delight in the exquisite flavours of Cecile Tremblay Bourgogne Croix Blanche 2014, a remarkable expression of the Bourgogne region's rich terroir. Cecile Tremblay, a third-generation vintner, has meticulously crafted this Pinot Noir using traditional biodynamic practices, upholding the deep-rooted heritage of her forebears. This wine presents a captivating complexity, with notes of ripe red berries perfectly balanced by an earthy minerality and subtle spice undertones.

Grown in the celebrated region of Côte de Nuits in Burgundy, France, every bottle of Cecile Tremblay Bourgogne Croix Blanche 2014 echoes the unparalleled nuances of its home soil. With an 18-month ageing process in French oak barrels, this wine matures into a beautifully balanced creation with silky tannins and striking clarity. Renowned for its focused style and distinct identity, Cecile Tremblay Bourgogne Croix Blanche 2014 is a truly unique addition to any connoisseur's collection.

Vinous (93+)

Medium red. Musky aromas of black raspberry and crushed rock. Concentrated, creamy and fresh, offering serious intensity to its dense raspberry and mineral flavors. Bright acidity contributes to the impression of inner-mouth tension and cut. The tannins are present but quite fine on the long, firm finish, which offers terrific floral lift. This superb wine reminded me of a 1999 in style.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2014 Echézeaux Grand Cru du Dessus, which was completely destemmed, has a lovely bouquet, very harmonious and perhaps showing more complexity than the Chapelle-Chambertin at the moment. The mineralité really comes through here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, vibrant and vivacious with perfectly judged acidity. This is a really quite beautiful Echézeaux for long term aging (if you can resist temptation).

Vinous (91-93)

Bright red-ruby. Very pure, perfumed aromas and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, minerals, violet and cocoa powder. Sappy and tightly wound, conveying a powerful impression of vinosity thanks to its pungent minerality. The pH here of 3. 45 is the lowest in the cellar in 2014. Indeed, this wine shows a distinctly cool quality in the context of the vintage, and finishes with excellent chewy length. Tremblay told me that the 2008 version of this wine was paired by a chef with a tuna dish during a trip to Tokyo and that the combination was perfect.

Vinous (94)

Cecilia Monte's 2014 Barbaresco Serracapelli is a wine of pure and total refinement. Lifted and gracious on the palate, the 2014 is wonderfully energetic from start to finish. Beams of supporting acidity and tannin give the wine a nervous, edgy feel that will soften with bottle age. Orange peel, exotic spice, tobacco, cedar and amaro herbs add an intriguing upper register of aromatics to this mid-weight, classically proportioned Barbaresco. Cecilia Monte's Barbaresco Serracapelli is one of the dark horses of the vintage.

Vinous (94)

The 2014 Barbaresco Bernardot has shut down since I last tasted it about nine months ago. The breadth that is typical of this Treiso site comes through, but the 2014 is quite reluctant today. Hints of smoke, licorice, underbrush and a host of balsamic notes infuse the resonant finish. Time in the glass brings out the wine's pliant side, but readers should plan on cellaring the 2014 for at least a few years. Readers will have to be patient.

Vinous (94)

Ceretto's 2014 Barolo Prapò is gorgeous. Lifted, perfumed and full of life, the Prapò is a terrific example of the year. The 2014 captures the brooding personality of Serralunga beautifully while retaining a striking sense of translucency and overall nuance. Muscular, sinewy tannins enshroud this deceptively mid-weight Barolo from Ceretto.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94+)

The 2014 Certan de May offers terrific depth and intensity, although it is very much closed in on itself. Dark cherry, tobacco, cedar, mint, licorice and dried flowers gain volume over time. Deceptively medium in body, the 2014 has plenty of underlying tannin as well as enough acidity to drink well for a number of years.

Wine Spectator (94)

A lean, racy red, featuring cherry, strawberry, spice and mineral flavors. Very compact and linear, this is nonetheless persistent and long on the aftertaste. Coiled and youthful, this will need time to unwind. Best from 2020 through 2032.

Decanter (100)

This immediately exhibits the spellbinding, rich complexity that characterises this Hermitage cuvée. A really special, luxurious aromatic display that includes mango and raw cream. It’s full-bodied, with all the puppy fat that you might expect from de l'Orée. The oak is well integrated, contributing silk and spice notes, adding to the complexity. This is sublime. So long and fresh, just a perfect expression of white Hermitage. It’s rich, but somehow without heaviness. Just absolutely gorgeous.

Vinous (94)

Brilliant yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of pear, Meyer lemon and jasmine; hints of smoky lees, iodine and fennel emerge with aeration. Sappy, deeply concentrated orchard and pit fruit, melon and brioche flavors are sharpened by an incisive mineral nuance. Finishes sappy, minerally and extremely long, with echoes of citrus pith and dusty minerals adding cut and focus.

Decanter (99)

Aromatically a different register to the 2014 de l'Orée tasted directly beforehand. This is less richly fruited, with a more herbal, almost vegetal note, like tomato stalk. A little closed on the nose. Full-bodied, and grand. Good acidity that feels firm and gently steely. Great amplitude, a sensation that stays with you into the length. A forceful white Hermitage, that still has great freshness, energy and (relatively speaking for a white Hermitage) precise acidity. So long. A surging tsunami of a wine.

Vinous (91-93)

Brilliant yellow. Intensely perfumed aromas of poached pear, orange, candied fig and jasmine take on a hint of dusty minerality. Smooth, concentrated and expansive on the palate, offering intense, mineral-tinged orchard and pit fruit flavors and a refreshing touch of bitter quinine. Finishes very long and supple, with impressive clarity and building spiciness.

Matthew Jukes (19.5+)

2014 Blanc des Millénaires is only the 8th vintage of this wine released since the inaugural wine in 1983. Let’s not beat around the bush – is a spectacular Champagne. To put this wine to the test, I opened my sample bottle and tasted it with four wine trade Titans. A buyer, a retailer, a journalist and an importer were all struck dumb by this wine. I told them they were not allowed to spread the word until today – which as I understand it is the release date. I set the scene for this tasting by opening a magnum of another famous Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru before pouring Blanc de Millénaires to ensure that everyone’s’ palates were in match fit condition to assess our hero wine. After the cooing and nodding abated regsarding the much-loved magnum, I popped the cork on BdM and poured one of the most colourless Champagnes I can remember. And then the magic started. After the sensual creaminess of our ‘apéritif Blanc de Blancs’ it was immediately apparent that ’14 Blanc de Millénaires was cut from very different cloth. This is a raspingly refreshing wine. It is so precision-cut you might want to wear gloves. There is no doubt this unnervingly keen creation is not one for beginners. And if you feel a tear fighting to set free from a loose duct, just let it go. This wine is all about emotion and you must be leaden-hearted for it not to move you profoundly with its laser-sighted flavours and extraordinary tension. Flavour-wise it is incredible how so much direction and decisiveness can emerge from such a seemingly demure wine. Approaching its tenth birthday, and with eight of these years spent on its lees, it seems like this wine has been chiselled out of a gleamingly white chalk sarcophagus as it sits naked in the glass, and there is so much potential here it takes the breath away. My intrepid group could not summon the energy to scratch our collective heads. There was just a collegiate sense of disbelief and then, a couple of minutes later, an exhalation of exultation – a synchronous moan of pure joy that somehow kicked us all back into the moment, granting us permission to acknowledge what had just happened. Given the experience around the table, we were of one voice – this is a landmark vintage for Heidsieck’s incredible Chardonnay and while it is straight-jacketed, brutally honest, and epically long, there are just enough white florals, tender sablé tones and dramatic citrus zestiness, to signal that this wine will be nothing short of era-defining given time.

This is a very good bottle of BezeBuilt well, good red fruit, compote, a touch of woody spice but subtle, nice ripe pleasant tannins. Raspberry, crushed blackberry and cool blueberry and sloe.